Amelioration of sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the amelioration of sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders in a patient includes a collar configured to encircle the patient's neck, and a jaw-engagement mechanism carried by the collar. The jaw-engagement mechanism includes a pad configured to contact the underside of the patient's lower jaw in the area of the anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis and to be received in a small hollow of the patient's jaw. In use, the pad can apply force against a surface of the patient's lower jaw in order to push it forwardly and upwardly. The pad preferably is secured to a movable post that can be positioned such that a desired amount of force is applied to the patient's lower jaw.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for ameliorating sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders in a patient having a neck, a lower jaw having an underside, a mandibular symphysis, an anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis, and a small hollow, comprising:
 a collar configured to encircle the patient's neck, the collar having a front disposed beneath the patient's lower jaw; and 
 a jaw-engagement mechanism carried by the collar, the jaw-engagement mechanism including a pad configured to contact the underside of the patient's lower jaw in the area of the anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis and to be received in a small hollow of the patient's jaw, a vertically oriented housing disposed at the front of the collar; a vertically movable post disposed within the housing, the post having an upper end to which the pad is secured and a plurality of notches disposed along a portion of the length of the post, the post being movable such that the pad can be located and secured in a desired position relative to the patient's lower jaw, and a pin connected to and carried by the housing, the pin being engageable with the notches, whereby the pad can apply force against a surface of the patient's lower jaw in order to push it forwardly and upwardly. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hook and loop fastener, the hook and loop fastener configured to secure the collar in place about the patient's neck. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 an opening formed in the front of the collar; and 
 the housing being disposed within the opening. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is movable between notch-engaging and notch-disengaging positions. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is spring-biased into engagement with the notches. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pad is rounded. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more vent openings included as part of the collar. 
     
     
       8. A device for ameliorating sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders in a patient having a neck, a lower jaw having an underside, a mandibular symphysis, an anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis, and a small hollow, comprising:
 a collar configured to encircle the patient's neck, the collar including a front disposable beneath the patient's lower jaw and a hook and loop fastener, the hook and loop fastener configured to secure the collar in place about the patient's neck; 
 a jaw-engagement mechanism carried by the collar, the jaw-engagement mechanism including:
 an opening formed in the front of the collar; 
 a vertically oriented housing disposed within the opening; 
 a vertically movable post disposed within the housing, the post having an upper end and notches along at least a portion of its length; 
 a pad secured to the upper end of the post, the pad having a jaw-engaging surface, the jaw-engaging surface being rounded; and 
 a pin connected to and carried by the housing, the pin being engageable with the notches and movable between notch-engaging and notch-disengaging positions, the pin being spring-biased into engagement with the notches; and 
 
 whereby the pad can be positioned relative to a patient's lower jaw so as to apply force against a surface of the patient's lower jaw in order to push it forwardly and upwardly. 
 
     
     
       9. A method for ameliorating sleep apnea and other obstructive breathing disorders in a patient having a neck, a lower jaw having an underside, a mandibular symphysis, an anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis, and a small hollow, comprising:
 providing a collar configured to encircle the patient's neck, the collar including a jaw-engagement mechanism having a pad configured to contact the underside of the patient's lower jaw in the area of the anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis and to be received in a small hollow of the patient's lower jaw; 
 providing a vertically oriented opening in a front of the collar; 
 providing a housing; 
 disposing the housing within the opening; 
 providing a post, the post having an upper end and notches along at least a portion of its length; 
 disposing the post within the housing such that the post is vertically movable within the housing; 
 securing the pad to the upper end of the post; 
 providing a pin connected to and carried by the housing, the pin being engageable with the notches and movable between notch-engaging and notch-disengaging positions, the pin being spring-biased into engagement with the notches; 
 disposing the collar about the patient's neck with the pad in contact with the underside of the patient's lower jaw in the area of the anterior triangle behind the mandibular symphysis with the pad being received in a small hollow of the patient's jaw; 
 moving the post, and thereby the pad, to a desired position relative to the patient's lower jaw; 
 applying force through the pad against a surface of the patient's lower jaw in order to push it forwardly and upwardly; and 
 engaging the notches and the pin such that the pad is maintained in a desired position relative to the patient's lower jaw. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a hook and loop fastener for the collar; and 
 securing the collar in place around the patient's neck by tightening the hook and loop fastener. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of providing one or more vent openings as part of the collar.